Return of the Forgotten (Mouseheart #3)

Fielder, Lisa. Return of the Forgotten (Mouseheart #3)
October 20th 2015 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

With Felina, the evil cat gone, Hopper is able to help out his friends Firren and Zucker with their brood of young royal heirs. Well, democratic royal-ish heirs, even though the youngest, Hope, really wants to be an entitled princess and wear diamond tiaras. When off on a jaunt, Hope comes upon Devon, a guard who has an evil agenda. She is also kidnapped by Pup, who is not as evil as he has seemed in past books; more misunderstood than anything. There's lots of adventure, running around under New York, and lots of family and community secrets that get brought to life, tying everything up nicely in this final book in the trilogy. 
Strengths: I'm starting to see a bit of a resurgence in fantasy reading in my library, especially the variety that involves swords. This is a good choice for readers who are transitioning from Erin Hunter to John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice books. 
Weaknesses: The mice talk. And they wear jerkins. Why? Why do they wear jerkins underneath modern New York City? WHy this elaborate pseudo-medieval power structure? Makes no sense at all. Why not 1920s gangland rats and mice? Tommy guns instead of swords? Fedoras instead of capes?
What I really think: As much as I love cute cartoon mice in easy readers, I dislike talking, war like mice in things like Brian Jacques. Just a personal preference; this series circulates well.